Walk 5. Heritage Walk to Allan Park

Walk 5. Heritage Walk to Allan Park

Summary

This circular walk from Cults Hotel down to the River Dee and along to the Allan Park takes you past sites of local historical interest, such as Cults Station building and the now derelict Morison’s Bridge, known as the Shakkin Briggie, opened in 1837 and funded by Dr George Morison to give parishioners access to the church on the south bank of the river.

The Allan Park is a sheltered and peaceful area gifted to the community by David Allan in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s long reign. The mature woodland, grassland and an overgrown bog garden with a wide variety of marsh and water plants provide a varied habitat for wildlife.

Walk Details

  • Grade: Moderate.
  • Terrain: Tarmac, pavements and paths. Some steep gradients.
  • Distance: 1.5 miles; 2.4 km.
  • Time: Allow 1 hour.
  • Waymarked: Yes - Green (except Allan Park).
  • GPX: Yes.

Directions

From Cults Hotel, cross the North Deeside Road and head down to Cults Station via Station Road. Join the Deeside Way for a few yards heading west and then take a signed steep path on left down to the Den of Cults. After a very short distance the route turns right and follows the Cults burn to the Inchgarth Road, opposite Shakkin Briggie.

Turn right for a few yards and then take a path to your left along the river bank. When you come to the start of the golf course turn right and this leads straight to Allan Park.

There are several paths round the park, which is a mixture of mature woodland, grassland and an overgrown bog garden with a wide variety of marsh and water plants providing a varied habitat for wildlife. Also, a cricket sports and a children’s playpark.  One route is to turn left at the top of the bank, past a slide and down to the play park. Then round the ‘pond’ and up the steps at the far end. This leads to Park Brae – turn left up to the Deeside way. Turning right takes you back to Cults Station and hence back to Cults Hotel.